Definitions for scordatura

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word scordatura.

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

scordatura(Noun)

cross-tuning; a system of tuning a musical instrument to pitches other than the accepted standard, for example, tuning one or more strings of a violin to pitches other than the commonly accepted GDAE.

Origin: From the Italian scordatura discord

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Scordatura

A scordatura, also called cross-tuning, is an alternative tuning used for the open strings of a string instrument. When used in standard music notation the notes indicated in the score would represent the finger position as if played in regular tuning, in order to allow the player to rely on the familiar association between written and note and fingering, while the actual pitch is altered. Use of alternative tunings allows the playing of otherwise impossible note sequences or note combinations or can be used to create unusual timbres. The technique can be described as an extended technique.